A RECORD number of students graduated from the University of Sussex this week.

The university awarded degrees to 3,862 finalists from 106 countries, during a week of ceremonies at the Brighton Centre.

An estimated 10,300 guests attended, making it the biggest Sussex graduation event to date.

Professor Adam Tickell, the university’s vice-chancellor, said: “University of Sussex students have continually told us that they love Brighton and that they find Sussex to be a welcoming place to live.

“Many of them choose to stay and contribute to the vibrant and multi-cultural community in our city.

“The University of Sussex was founded in 1961 to foster innovative thinking and creative minds.

“Now, more than ever, it is vital that we instill our young people with the ability to think critically and evaluate their options in an ever-changing world.

“I could not be prouder of this year’s graduates from the University of Sussex.

“They are the embodiment of energy, hope and possibility for the future, and it is with this spirit that we endeavour to continue Sussex’s legacy.”

The university’s chancellor, the actor and broadcaster Sanjeev Bhaskar, presented the degrees – and he was his usual lively self on stage.

He is known for the relaxed manner in which he conducts the ceremonies, which often include plenty of hugs and high fives.

This year also saw the actor dabbing – a dance move made popular by Manchester United footballer Paul Pogba – with students.

A number of honorary degrees were also handed out including to Yanis Varoufakis, the former Greek finance minister who resigned in July 2015 after refusing to sign a loan agreement with the EU.

Fashion designer John Rocha, who was born in Hong Kong and moved to London to study fashion in the 1970s, also received an honorary degree.

Mr Tickell added: “The University of Sussex is committed to helping students from all backgrounds to access the benefits of higher education.

“The students who graduated represent a wide spectrum of diversity, aged from 19 to 74, and from more than 106 countries.”